Personal Video Replay

Abstract

In one or more embodiments, a camera includes a replay mode which, when selected, the camera automatically captures image data, such as video or still images, and saves the image data to a memory buffer. The size of the memory buffer may be set by the user to determine how much image data is to be collected. If an event occurs that the user wishes to memorialize through video or still images, a record button can be activated which saves the image data from the beginning of the memory buffer and continues recording until the user presses the record button again.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A camera device comprising:
 a housing;   a camera lens supported by the housing and configured to enable capture of image data;   a fastening device on the housing and configured to enable the camera device to be mounted on a user's clothing;   a memory buffer within the housing; and   a replay module within the housing and coupled to the memory buffer, the replay module being configured to enable a replay mode in which the camera device automatically captures image data and saves the image data to the memory buffer and, when the memory buffer is full, erases older image data to make room for currently-captured image data;   the camera device being configured with a record button which, when activated, causes:
 image data from the beginning of the memory buffer to be saved, and, 
 currently-captured image data to be saved, wherein the camera device does not include a viewfinder. 
   
     
     
         2 . The camera device of  claim 1 , wherein the memory buffer has a size that is configured to be set by the user. 
     
     
         3 . The camera device of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening device comprises a clip. 
     
     
         4 . The camera device of  claim 1 , wherein the memory buffer comprises flash memory. 
     
     
         5 . The camera device of  claim 1 , wherein the camera device is configured to save image data at the beginning of the memory buffer by using a pointer to designate the beginning of the image data. 
     
     
         6 . The camera device of  claim 1 , wherein the camera device further comprises a processor configured to encode image data at different levels of resolution. 
     
     
         7 . The camera device of  claim 1 , wherein the camera device further comprises a processor configured to encode image data at Quarter-VGA resolution and 720p resolution. 
     
     
         8 . The camera device of  claim 1 , wherein the camera device is further configured to enable a photo log of still photos to be created while the camera device is in replay mode. 
     
     
         9 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 receiving, via a clothing-mountable camera without the viewfinder, input associated with a replay mode, the replay mode enabling image data to be captured prior to a record button being activated;   responsive to receiving said input, capturing image data and saving the image data to a memory buffer;   ascertaining whether the memory buffer is full;   responsive to the memory buffer being full, deleting oldest image data in the memory buffer; and   capturing subsequent image data and saving the subsequent image data to the memory buffer.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising receiving input to set a size of the memory buffer; and responsive to receiving the input to set the size of the memory buffer, setting the memory buffer size. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising, receiving input by way of the record button; responsive to receiving the input by way of the record button, saving image data from the beginning of the memory buffer and saving currently-captured image data in addition to the image data from the beginning of the memory buffer. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising, receiving input by way of the record button; responsive to receiving the input by way of the record button, saving image data from the beginning of the memory buffer and saving currently-captured image data in addition to the image data from the beginning of the memory buffer, wherein saving image data from the beginning of the memory buffer comprises using a pointer to designate the beginning of image data in the memory buffer. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising encoding the image data at different levels of resolution. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising encoding the image data at Quarter-VGA resolution and 720p resolution. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising capturing still photos while in the replay mode. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the memory buffer comprises flash memory. 
     
     
         17 . A camera device comprising:
 a housing;   a camera lens supported by the housing and configured to enable capture of image data;   a fastening device on the housing and configured to enable the camera device to be mounted on a user's clothing, the fastening device comprising a clip;   a memory buffer within the housing, the memory buffer having a size that is configured to be set by the user; and   a replay module within the housing and coupled to the memory buffer, the replay module being configured to enable a replay mode in which the camera device automatically captures image data and saves the image data to the memory buffer and, when the memory buffer is full, erases older image data to make room for currently-captured image data;   the camera device being configured with a record button which, when activated, causes:
 image data from the beginning of the memory buffer to be saved, and, 
 currently-captured image data to be saved, wherein the camera device does not include a viewfinder. 
   
     
     
         18 . The camera device of  claim 17 , wherein the camera device is configured to save image data at the beginning of the memory buffer by using a pointer to designate the beginning of the image data. 
     
     
         19 . The camera device of  claim 17 , wherein the camera device further comprises a processor configured to encode image data at different levels of resolution. 
     
     
         20 . The camera device of  claim 17 , wherein the camera device is further configured to enable a photo log of still photos to be created while the camera device is in replay mode.